Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!

Each episode is split between four cases, usually. The last is typically the quickest and easiest for the agents. They are instructed by the high court to collect debt, seize assets, or evict tenants. Every case begins with a summary of how much is owed and why, while the agents are driving to the location written on the high court writ. The beginning of each case is usually the best bit, as people aren't aware of the bailiffs' powers and think they're trespassing. The initial attitude of the debtor is also how they'll usually act for the remainder of the case, so if they're angry at the start then they'll most likely be angry for the entire case.

The best episodes are those with debtors/evictees that are extremely angry and aggressive. In the earlier seasons, the cases were more varied than later, as they didn't just collect debt, they also evicted people and moved travellers. In season 5 for example, the vast majority of cases are a simple debt collection which adds to the repetition factor. I'm guessing this is down to the show being criticised as classist and morally bankrupt for showing people at their low points; however, the show does have people from all walks of life and the agents are polite, respectful, and neutral. I'll admit that there are more working-class people on this show, but I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that someone with money, privilege, and an increased likelihood of financial sense will be more likely to pay a debt than those who lack it.

This show is repetitive. It was made for a traditional TV channel which means it's chock-full of summaries of what's to come and what already occurred before and after every ad break. The length of these recounts are asinine. I believe some editing to fit every case within a single segment would've been preferable, to be honest. To add to the fatigue, the show highlights and narrates a relevant factoid as an interim between each case. I'm pretty sure a lot of them are repeated, but I wouldn't know as I skip over them every time. God, I don't miss cable TV at all.

Due to the professionalism required and the impersonal structure of the show, all the agents are very similar to each other. However, some have more coloured personalities than others, especially in the initial seasons. Paul Bohill and Steven Pinner are seen as the mascots of the show, due to their empathetic dialogues in the earlier seasons. Thankfully, this is one aspect they reduce in later seasons of which I'm a fan of. It's not that I disagree with them, I just disagree with the repetitive nature of it. Again, my biggest gripe with this show is its repetitiveness. Any reduction in that department is preferable, even if it removes some personality from the agents. You'll notice small differences in the agents' personalities, like how Stuart McCracken is stern and prefers to get crackin' on the job rather than playing the empathy game; or how Gary Ball has as much personality as a thumb. Thankfully his partner is one of my favourites, so his segments aren't so bad.

My advice is to watch season one and if you're really enjoying it then keep going, but eventually around season four-to-five you'll start to get bored and notice how safe they're playing it. It's not a bad show, but it went on too long and diminished in quality.

I love this show! I live in the U.S. and am SHOCKED that the "high court" can just show up at your door and put you out IMMEDIATELY! There is nothing similar in the states. Although we do have evictions the courts DO give you a final move-out date. There are no surprises at your door.

Also being able to immediately take your possessions to absolve the debt is CRAZY to me!

I love the show and have visited the U.K. on one occasion and really enjoyed myself (my husband and I took a 2-week holiday). I had no idea stuff like this was going on. It's mind boggling.

Does this show reflect (of the debtors shown), the correct percentage of debtors who are white with British heritage, and non white? Do you ever hear anybody from DCBL say that the amount payable will rise by X amount if they have to pick up a TV and take it outside? No, in all the episodes I've watched they do not. £900 added in one instance just because they 'began' removing items, I guess they are told NOT to warn debtors so to make more money and penalise the debtors. The show would be better if they were not so falsely polite.

I found this a very good show,unlike one of the other reviewers i am looking at it in a more realistic light. Many people end up in debt, the ideal solution is to obviously come to some sort of arrangement but Most of the people in this show come up with such stupid excuses and say so many stupid lies thinking that they will get away with it,i honestly find the people are dealt with in a very reasonable manner considering they have already done the wrong thing. It amazes me to see some of the stupid reactions that the people show when confronted with the debt collectors,treating them as idiots,of course they are not,and they are going to deal with you in a harder way if you treat them like idiots. I would find it very hard to deal with a job like theirs,my hats off to them. And once again it is a great show.

As an American, this is an incredible show to watch since the system of High Court Enforcement Agents is something which would *never* function in the United States. Attempting to enter someone's home forcibly and removing property would result in these men being gunned down, especially in places like Texas or other heavy pro-gun conservation states.

While I fully support the 2nd amendment, it does say something that in the UK, even *picking up a knife* is enough to levy serious criminal charges, much less guns, which are nearly impossible to obtain in that country, from what I understand.

Also, the show presents a side of British society hardly ever seen, that of immigrants especially from places like Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. A lot of the enforcement actions are often against people from these regions, as well as Africa, and while we all know about British Indians (who can forget the British Raj) it's rare to see a British program display the lives and times of these other, lesser known, immigrant groups. What impresses me the most is how the agents deal with such people *exactly the same* as with upper class British who are wealth and better off.

So, a fascinating show, and highly recommended, especially if one is not familiar with the debt collection process in the United Kingdom and how it is enforced. This show will absolutely provide an education.